THE CITY REBORN FROM THE ASHES OF AMERICA'S MOST DISASTROUS FOREST FIRE

HEADED TO COLUMBUS--Shown are arches from Sentinel Structures, Inc. of Peshtigo. They went to Columbus, Wis. for a church project.

Sentinel Structures Sends Huge Arches For Columbus Church

Structural glued laminated timber arches and other roof supports departed Peshtigo heading for a building project at Columbus. Sentinel Structures, Inc., Peshtigo, is making shipment of large arches for the Zion Lutheran Church building in the southern Wisconsin community.

The arches were shipped flat on the truck rig and were over width. The largest members have a width of 13 feet, 8 inches on the truck and the smaller arches are 11 feet, 3 inches. Special trucks and permits are necessary to move the wide loads down the roadways.

The main arches run diagonally in the new worship space, spanning 84 feet. Each of the four half spans weigh 4,200 pounds. The eight smaller arches form the transept. The arches rise to a height of 30 feet from the floor.

The southern pine arches and straight secondary members were stained at the Peshtigo laminating plant in a shade called Teak Brown, one of the custom tones developed by the company. The 3x6 inch tongue and groove wood roof decking that forms the roof sheathing and interior ceiling is stained Honey.

Other local businesses contributing to the work at Sentinel Structure were engineer consulting and shop drawing preparation performed by Enterprise Engineering Consultants of Peshtigo. Sherwin-Williams in Marinette made the stain for the wood. The steel shapes utilized to connect the timbers to each other were fabricated by MC Manufacturing, a division of Wildlife Decor, LLC, also of Marinette. The Lock-Deck wood roof decking was made for Sentinel Structures by Disdero Lumber in Warren, Ark. B&K Trucking of Marathon, Wis. handled shipment of the two over-width loads.

Designer of the building is Rketek of Beaver Dam, and the construction manager is McKee Associates of Madison.

Sentinel Structures, Inc. manufactures glued laminated timber arches, beams, trusses, columns, and other engineered timber items in Peshtigo. The laminating plant has been in operation since 1934 and marks the 80th year of operation.